One-Pot Reduction of Aromatic Carboxylic Acid to Alcohol by SiO2@FeSO4 Nano Composite at Solvent-free Condition

Application of SiO2@FeSO4 nano composite as a new nano catalyst in reduction area was investigated. Carboxylic acid simple and convenient reduction to alcohol by 0.75 mol of the nano composite, 3 mol sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as reduction reagent under solvent free condition at 30-65 min. The reaction happens in two stages - first to form an aldehyde and then a primary alcohol. Because sodium aluminum hydride reacts rapidly with aldehydes, it is impossible to stop at the halfway stage. The method does not require an anhydrous solvent, does not involve a hazardous reagent, has somewhat different selectivity than techniques in general use, and may sometimes be the method of choice.